Sleep Positions and Your Pillow

Bucky Buckwheat & Millet Bed Pillows

The position you sleep in has direct effects on your health. Sleeping position can affect your respiration, spinal alignment and even wrinkling of the skin. There are proven ways to get a better night’s sleep by using the right pillow, with the right amount of fill and sleeping in the right positions.

The main thing to keep in mind regarding your sleeping position and pillow is the proper support of your neck and spine. You want a pillow that conforms to and supports the curve of your neck with enough firmness to support your head without collapsing. It is fine to sleep on your back or your side (or both) as long as your spine is kept in a neutral position and not bent out of alignment.

Side Sleeper

Sleeping on your side with the wrong pillow can interfere with sleep and even lead to serious neck or back pain.

Sleeping on one’s side is the most common sleeping position and one of the best positions for your back. Buckwheat and Millet hull pillows are ideal for side sleepers due to their great support and adjustable thickness. When you lie on your side your pillow needs to be thick enough to keep your spine straight but not so thick it bends your neck out of alignment.

Many pillows collapse under the weight of your head or aren’t thick enough in the first place. Using a thicker pillow or two pillows does not compensate for most pillows’ lack of proper neck support. Many people even fold their pillow in half when attempting to compensate for a pillow that is too soft.

When you lie down to go to bed tonight make sure there is support under your neck, and that your spine is straight. This should allow your back and neck muscles to completely relax.

Back Sleepers

Most people are familiar with the discomfort associated with a pillow that is not the correct thickness.

Sleeping on one’s back is the second most common sleeping position after side sleepers. When you lie on your back many pillows do not properly support the space beneath your neck, causing muscle strain. Buckwheat and Millet hull pillows fill the space beneath your neck. This can be supremely comfortable, allowing your neck and back muscles to completely relax. As with side sleeping, the thickness and firmness of your pillow is important to keep your neck and back properly aligned.

Back sleepers are also associated with snoring. While pillows are certainly not a foolproof cure for snoring, proper support and alignment of your neck and airway can sometimes lead to reduced snoring.

Stomach Sleepers

If possible, avoid sleeping on your stomach as it’s difficult to maintain the proper spinal position. Sleeping on your stomach forces your head and spine into an unnatural position. Staying in this position for hours is not good for your back or neck and can result in significant discomfort and restless sleep.

If you do sleep on your stomach, you will want to have less fill in your Bucky pillow than someone who sleeps on their side or back.

It may seem impossible to control the position you sleep in since you aren’t fully aware of your position while sleeping. Actually, it IS possible and can make a considerable difference in the amount and quality of sleep you get. When going to sleep, or if you wake up in the night, make a conscious effort to follow these guidelines until it becomes a habit: Keep your body in a “mid-line” position where both your head and neck are kept as straight as possible. The best positions to do this are sleeping on your side or sleeping on your back. Because Bucky pillows form to fit your neck and spine, as you change positions throughout the night the pillow adjusts making it the best choice for your neck and spine health. According to the Mayo Clinic, “The most common sleeping position is on your side, with your legs and hips aligned and flexed. Because this position leaves your upper leg unsupported, the top knee and thigh tend to slide forward and rest on the mattress, rotating the lower spine. This slight rotation may contribute to back or hip pain. To prevent that problem, place a pillow (our Comfort Bolster Pillow is perfect for this) between your knees and thighs…If you sleep on your back, place a pillow under your knees to help maintain the normal curve of your lower back. You might try our Baxter Adjustable Back PIllow under the small of your back for additional support.”

Regardless of the position you sleep in, Bucky Buckwheat and Millet pillows are a great choice for comfort and restful sleep. Buckwheat and/or millet hulls provide fantastic support of your spine, particularly the curves of your neck. Depending on your personal sleeping preferences, it may take some time to get used to your Bucky Pillow and adjust to the right amount of fill. Once you do, you may sleep better than you’ve ever slept before.